Kickstart Rush rewrote the history books in emphatic fashion, producing a ruthless attacking masterclass to demolish an eight-man St Andrew Lions outfit 23-0 when the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League continued on Sunday evening at the BFA Technical Centre in Wildey.
The Chad Bynoe-coached side shattered the previous Premier League record of 21-0, held by University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds against former top-flight team Pinelands Club, in what can only be described as one of the most dominant performances in local football history.
At the centre of the demolition was forward Jamarco Johnson, a former Barbados Under-14 captain, who scored a sensational eight goals to bring his overall tally to 11 for the season so far.
Kickstart’s relentless attacking display in the opening match of the triple header saw midfielder Romario Drakes add four goals in the 14th, 16th, 32nd and 36th minutes. Meanwhile, Tekyle Alleyne-Callender (59th, 62nd), Ethan Squires (60th, 64th), and Jadon Cave (9th, 68th) each scored braces.
Hard-fought thriller
Further contributions to the historic victory came from Nathan Skeete (17th), Carl Hinkson (31st), Je’Dane Griffith (50th), Caleb Went (90+1), and Comar Clarke (86th).
Meanwhile, defending champions Weymouth Wales maintained their grip atop the Premier League following a hard-fought 1-0 thriller over University of the West Indies Blackbirds.
Striker Kemar Headley proved to be a giant among men, scoring the decisive goal that led Wales to victory. That performance ensured that the men from Carrington Village maintained their lead in the standings on 37 points.
During the featured game of the triple-header, UWI, surprisingly remained solid in defence, even though Wales created a few chances that narrowly slipped past the face of goal.
Constantly, the ball was intercepted in both thirds, and Wales’ defence, comprising central defenders Ricardo Morris and Akeem Hill, along with full-backs Darius Boyce (left-back) and Rashad Smith (right-back), pressed high in an effort to occupy space and push possession forward. However, the scoreline remained goalless at halftime.
Full credit must go to UWI, coached by Fabian Massiah. They came into the match and ensured their presence was felt, especially in the decisive half, where they had Wales’ back four under pressure. Striker Rojae “Messi” Collins, in particular, amidst his skillfulness, was shown a yellow card for simulation inside the box.
Wales, desperate for a goal, made three tactical substitutions in the second half when Ackeel Applewhaite, Rommell Bynoe and Jaheim Neblett were replaced by Rashad Jules, Armando “Suga” Lashley and Jante James.
UWI had a perfect opportunity to score in the 70th minute when a lovely square ball from midfielder Tre Moore, positioned on the left flank, found Collins stationed centrally inside the 18-yard box. However, his effort, which should have been buried, instead went wide of the target, allowing Wales goalkeeper Kishmar Primus to breathe easier.
As the pressure mounted, UWI made a few changes of their own, with Christopher Jacobs, Chrisheur Harry, Javier Smith and Kyle Smith coming on to offer fresh legs for the Blackbirds.
Buried a header
Wales captain Hadan Holligan made way for striker Headley, who took over the captaincy and secured the match-winner in the 90+1 minute.
Capitalising on a 25-yard free kick that stemmed from defender Ricardo Morris to attacking midfielder Romario Harewood, a well-placed flighted ball inside the box found Headley, who buried a header past the UWI defence and goalkeeper K’Den Hee-Chung.
This latest performance from the Asquith Howell-coached Wales team ensured they widened the gap by four points ahead of rivals Paradise, who sit on 33 points and boast a slightly better goal difference (53-52) over Kickstart Rush despite both teams being tied on points. Brittons Hill are fourth on 32 points, Ellerton fifth on 28, while UWI remain sixth on 19 points.
Pride of Gall Hill are in seventh on 16 points, followed by Bagatelle on 15, steering clear of relegation sitters St Andrew Lions and Wotton, who are tied at the bottom on seven points each.
Brittons Hill star midfielder Kirtney Franklin produced a double hat-trick to dismantle Wotton 8-0. After Wotton conceded an own goal by goalkeeper Rasheed Belgrave in the 15th minute, Franklin took complete control of the encounter.
He registered goals in the 21st, 46th, 69th, 71st, 80th and 89th minutes respectively, while T’Shane Lorde added his name to the scoresheet in the 90+3 minute. (ML)
